A Brighter side of life
by Glenn Moore
Dec 21, 2009 | 1744 views | 6 6 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Volunteers line up to help fill boxes with toys for needy children. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press
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Volunteers gather to box thousands of toys for the Brighter Christmas program to help needy Tracy residents.

Over 145 volunteers gathered to assemble boxes, sort toys and fill over 800 boxes with toys for boys and girls. The crews filled the boxes moving from one pile of toys to another based on age and gender of the child.

Toys ranged from Barbie dolls to Transformers robots along with books, stuffed animals and board games. Over the weekend, boxes of food will be assembled as they ready for the Tuesday distribution.

Brighter Christmas has been helping Tracy families for 30 years with food and toy donations at the holiday.
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Comments
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mnwild
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December 22, 2009
Gene Birk and his Brighter Christmas crew have done an excellent job yet again. When I was able I volunteered with them and most impressive was the way in which the recipients were handled with dignity. Tho there are always a few who try to take advantage, most recipients are truly needy. If Brighter Christmas didn't exist, there would be many sad faces on Christmas morning. So hats off to the Brighter Christmas folks and to the Tracyites who support the program by donating their time and/or food, toys, etc. As the saying goes, "It takes a village!"
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Bulldogsportsfan
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December 22, 2009
Brighter Christmas is a wonderful way to help the citizens of Tracy. Needing help for Christmas can come for many reasons. Medical, loss of job, etc are to name a few. For whatever the reason these people need the help, who are we to judge. Let's just be grateful that so many people are willing to help this great organization. What a great job you have done! Keep up the good work. I am proud to say I live in Tracy! = )
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Bulldogsportsfan
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December 22, 2009
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lovinlife2day
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December 21, 2009
okay well i would have to agree some people really do depend on that extra help. and emagin if your told you'll get the help but it never shows. i guess you can only embarrise some one so much . its bad enough people put them selfs out there to let the town know they cant afford gifts for their children. first year with brighter christmas and the last....
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storkfmny
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December 21, 2009
Some people actually need help.Others abuse programs like this,just look at the new cars and big HDTV's some of these people have. They spend their money on big ticket items and cry poverty.
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thetruthteller
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December 21, 2009
Now this is a side of tracy that i love and hold dear when i see and hear about the drama thats been going on.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERY VOLUNTEER, PERSON WHO DONATED AND THE COMPANYS WHO PUSHED US OVER THE TOP.

May every family who stood in line to be on the recieving end have a blessed and wonderful Christmas
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